Car-coupling



(No Model.)

L sleTz.k GAR GOUPLING.

Patented Oet. 24, 1882.

LEWIS SEITZ, OF BLOOMVILLE, OHIO.

CAR-COUPLING.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 266,537, dated October 24, 1882.

Application tiled September 2l, 1882.

To all whom tt may concern:

Be it known that I, LEWIS SEITZ, a citizen of the United States, residing at Bloomville, in the county ot' Seneca and State ot' Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Oar-Couplers, ot' which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to that class of couplings in which provision is made for automatic connection of two cars when brought together, with the link projecting from one of the drawheads, and for disconnection ofthe saine when one tlies the track in case of accident; and the objects of my improvements are, rst, to provide car-couplings capable ot' releasing both ends ofthe link, to insure their disconnection when one car falls much below the level of the other, as in case ofaccident, such as the breaking ot'a wheel, axle, or rail 5 and, second, to provide them with simple means by which the link can be released from the side or from the top of the car. I attain these objects by the construction illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure l is a perspective view of two drawheads constructed according to my invention. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal vertical section of the same. Fig. 3 is a vertical section ofthe drawheads, representing the link in the act of being disengaged from both. Fig. 4 is a top view of the frame of the draw-head with the upperjaw removed.

Similar letters refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

Tll'ebodyAofthedrawheadis trough-shaped, and of sufficient depth and width to permit the link C to have the necessary vibration in each direction, and its sides are somewhat flaring at its entrance. Within the front portion of the body A there is au inclined surface, A', the apex a of which is to support the link in proper position, and from the central portion of the incline surface A the prong A2 projects a sufcient distance above its apex af to retain the link securely under ordinary circumstances, that distance being generally a little more than the thickness of the metal of the link, the latter being an ordinary link in the form of an endless bar, having substantially straight sides (No model.)

quired, the prong A2 taking its place. To the body A is pivoted upon the transverse bolt a the upperjaw, B, of the draw-head. The under surface of the front end, b, of the jaw is slightly beveled rearward to direct the end of the link toward the center ot' said jaw, where it has a cavity to receive it. The bottom of said cavity is formed by a lip, b', projecting forward from the bottom of the jaw B. The weight of-said jaw is sufficient to retain the link into engagement with the prong A2 under ordinary joltings of cars; but its capabilities of retaining the link may be increased by placing a coiled spring, c, between the tail end B2 and the floor of the draw-head around the pin b2, pendent from said end B2, said pin being furthermore used as astop to prevent the undue opening of the jaw B. To release the link from the side of the car, there is projecting upward from one side ofthe body A bearings cz, to receive a short bolt, (t3, passing through one end of the lever D, upon which the latter is hinged, the opposite side of the body A having projecting' lugs a4 to guide said lever, the under side of the lever D being horseshoe-shaped or curved at Dl to rest upon the tail end of the jaw D and tip it down to elevate its front end, and with it the link U, resting upon the lip b', until it escapes over the top ot' the prong A2. The lever D terminates into a handle, D2, or a foot-rest, D3, eX-

operated.

Having now fully described my invention, I claiml. The combination of the body A, having the interior incline, A', and its immovable prong A2, with the upper movable jaw, B, having an internal recess and lip, b', at its front l and rounded ends; but no couplinglpin is re- 5o end, and a stop-pin, c, under its Jmil end, subhaving a. curved. under surface and adapted stantally as and for the purpose described.

2. The combination of the body A, having the interior incline, A', and its prong A2, pro- 5 jectng above said incline, with the upper movw blejaw, B, having a link-lifting lip7 b-, and a rail end in the rear of its pivot, and a lever, D',

to press upon the tail end of the movable jaw to release the link, substantially as described. 1o

LEX/VIS SEITZ. Witnesses:

E. E.. MASSON, W. B. MASSON. 

